On the heels of back-to-back blowout losses, the U.S. Virgin Islands Under-20 team held Aruba scoreless through the first half before falling behind 2-0 in a third straight loss at the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship Saturday.
The 37th-ranked Dashing Eagles had bled goals against 30th-ranked Martinique, losing 7-1 Tuesday, and powerhouse ninth-ranked Canada in a 14-0 loss Thursday.
But Saturday night, the USVI team was able to keep the match tight until the 59th minute against a strong 20th-ranked Aruba team. A second Aruba goal sealed the USVI loss in the 79th minute.
The tournament’s Group F has been almost all lopsided outings, with hosts Nicaragua beating Martinique 5-0 and Aruba beating Nicaragua 2-0 in the group’s closest match yet.
In Thursday’s loss to Canada, the Dashing Eagles surrendered goals at a furious pace. Canada scored in the first minute — and then the sixth, 11th, 25th, 31st, 33rd, 42nd, and two more in extra time before the half. The Canadians punched in five more goals before full time.
The USVI enters its final match of the tournament Monday against host Nicaragua with zero group-stage points and a -22 goal differential.
